I’ve been a fan of a very bad football team for a long time, so the thing I enjoy most about fantasy is there’s always hope for the future as it gives me something to consistently watch. As a fan, I know I’m not the only one who deals with disappointment daily. The exciting thing about fantasy is that even after a dud week there is always a chance to win and you have a lot of options at your disposal. Even a down year can lead to renewed hope for the next season, as drafting a whole new team and restarting brings joy and excitement! That said, there are still a couple of weeks left and hope is still in the air, so let’s figure out those starts and sits for Week 14!
Starts
QB Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts (@Cin)
Dare I say Minshew mania? Gardner Minshew is taking care of business in Indianapolis. He finished last week with a game-winning TD drive, and I have no doubt he is going to continue his magic this week against the Bengals. Gardner now has three 300-yard-plus games this year along with three games with at least 2 TDs. With star RB Jonathan Taylor sidelined, the Colts will continue to air the ball out. The Bengals have been bottom ten against QBs on the year so I don’t see them stopping the veteran QB. If you need a streamer look no further.
RB Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (@NO)
The Panthers' passing game is nonexistent. Watching them play is almost like watching a high school team play. All that said, Chuba Hubbard is a solid RB and the only bright spot on the team. Now with back-to-back games with a TD run, it seems he’s being more and more utilized every week. Since the Week 7 bye, Hubbard is averaging over 15 touches a game and is the clear leadback over Miles Sanders. Look for the Panthers to play it smart against a middle-of-the-pack defense and pound the rock with Hubbard. He’s a solid RB2 in this Week 14 matchup.
WR Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns (Jax)
Who knew all the Browns needed was a 38-year-old Joe Flacco throwing the ball? The Browns offense has been abysmal all season. A spark seems to have shown up with the old veteran airing it out, and Elijah Moore has become the main beneficiary. Moore now has 7 plus targets in 9 games this year. Additionally, even though his yardage has been lacking, it seems to be on an upswing, as he now has 40-plus yards in four straight games. If Flacco is at QB, Moore is a perfect flex play. Even more so if teammate Amari Cooper is sidelined with an injury. Go get Moore this week, you won't regret it.
TE Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans (@Mia)
Some may think I don’t like Chigoziem Okonkwo. It’s a fair assumption. He’s made the sit-list multiple times this season. To be fair, multiple TEs could make the sit-list every week. However, Okonkwo seems to have hit his stride of late, as he now sports back-to-back games with 40-plus yards. That might not seem like much but that’s damn consistent in today's NFL. The Titans are trusting their passing game more and more and Okonkwo is reaping the rewards. If you need a TE he’s your guy.
Defense: Houston Texans (@NYJ)
The Texans are a bottom 10 unit on the year. Similar to the TE position, when deciding on a defense it’s generally a good idea to find the best defensive matchup and stream it. With the Jets and a journeyman QB on the slate, this would be a good time to use the Houston defense, as the Jets' aerial attack has been so bad there’s a possibility Zach Wilson could retake the starting gig. Either way, the Texans are coming off their best fantasy performance of the year and finished their game against the Broncos allowing just 17 points with 3 interceptions and 3 sacks. They should make quick work of New York and no doubt will be a top-10 unit this week.
Sits
QB Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@ATL)
You couldn’t tell by looking at Mike Evan’s numbers but in terms of fantasy, it’s been a pretty subpar year for Baker Mayfield. It’s also getting worse as the year is going along. With turnovers in four straight contests, the trust for Mayfield in your lineups should go way down. He has thrown for less than 250 yards in three straight contests and has just four TDs compared to five turnovers during that stretch. Find a better option at QB for Week 14.
RB Breece Hall, New York Jets (Hou)
When it comes to this time of the season you need guys in your lineup you can trust. At the very minimum, guys that have a nice floor. Breece Hall is not that guy. Outside of a PPR league, he has almost no value. In his last four games, he’s failed to surpass 30 yards rushing. Since his 177-yard explosion in Week 5, his game-high is just 50 yards. In Week 13 the veteran Dalvin Cook had 19 more yards on four fewer carries. Don’t trust any Jets in these last few weeks.
WR Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@ATL)
There are some startable assets on this team, but also some guys that need to stay on the bench. Along with Mayfield, it’s been a pretty blah season for Chris Godwin. While the targets are always there, the production is not. Coming off his first zero-catch game, Godwin has now failed to surpass 60 yards receiving in six straight contests. In addition, since Week 9 he’s averaging just 30.8 yards per game. He can’t be trusted in these last few weeks.
TE David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (Jax)
I already spoke about how the passing attack came alive with Joe Flacco at the helm. So it’s upsetting to see David Njoku have just 2 catches for 17 yards. After three straight games with 50-plus yards, the bottom seems to have dropped out. In Week 13, Njoku just didn’t seem to be a part of the offense, as he didn’t even record a catch until the second half. With the ongoing QB carousel in Cleveland, he can’t be trusted at the moment. Find another TE.
Defense: Los Angeles Chargers (Den)
In Week 13 the Chargers held the Patriots to 0 points. That is a rare feat in today’s NFL. The question is: Does that mean the Chargers are good? Or are the Patriots just bad? I think it’s because NE has forgotten how to play football without Tom Brady. In the three games before taking on New England, the Chargers allowed a combined 84 points and 0 interceptions. Russell Wilson and the Broncos won’t put up a dud on the scoreboard. Better defenses are available.
